Syndicate

Sunday, March 29, 2015

So let’s go back to David Ortiz. He claims he’s been tested 80 times in the decade or so there has been drug testing. That’s an awful lot of testing, especially when you consider that the blood testing just started last year. And that, until last year, the number of in-season random tests was less than half of what it is now. Given that a player not “in the program” gets, at most, four tests a year and more likely 2-3 (less before last year), what possible basis could there be for Ortiz to be tested as often as he claims he has been other than a previous positive test?

Friday, March 27, 2015

I’m buying an over-the-f***ing-counter supplement in the United States of America. I’m buying this stuff in line next to doctors and lawyers. Now all of a sudden MLB comes out and says there’s some ingredient in GNC pills that have a form of steroid in them. I don’t know anything about it.

If you think I’m full of it, go to your kitchen cabinet right now and read the back of a supplement bottle and honestly tell me you know what all of that stuff is. I’m not driving across the border to Mexico buying some shady pills from a drug dealer. I’m in a strip mall across from the Dunkin’ Donuts, bro.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Intentional or not, MLB’s steroid policy has been a massive money-saver for owners. In the Biogenesis case alone, $31 million in salaries were saved by teams. MLB even went so far as to threaten Alex Rodriguez with a lifetime suspension from the game, which would have saved the Yankees at least another $60 million on top of the $22 million the club retained in 2014—all before potential eight-figure luxury tax savings are accounted for. While suspensions without pay are far easier to justify for performance-enhancing drugs than they are for drugs of abuse, MLB and the Yankees attempted to go above and beyond the joint drug agreement in an attempt to bilk Rodriguez out of money he’s contractually-owed.

MLB needs to fix its incentives. It shouldn’t be hard. Just look at what the rest of the major sports leagues do with their suspension and fine money. Section 6 of Article VI of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement lays out a policy in which all fines and pay lost through suspensions are channeled to charity, with one half going to charities selected by the NBA Players Association and the other half going to charities selected by the league. The NHL directs its player fines to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund, with a mission to help former NHL players who have fallen into poor health or dire financial straits. Similarly, all NFL on-field fines go to the NFL Player Care Foundation.

As for how things work in baseball? After 60 days in the drug program—according to the Los Angeles Times, it’s unclear if Hamilton exhausted these 60 days during his time with the Devil Rays in the early 2000s or not—a player is no longer entitled to salary retention even if he is in treatment. As such, a year-long suspension for Hamilton would save the Angels anywhere from just under $17 million to the full $23 million if MLB determines his treatment days have already been used up.

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Alex Rodriguez released an apology letter Tuesday addressed to fans, in which he says he takes “full responsibility for the mistakes” that led to his yearlong drug ban.
The humiliated slugger goes on to say he regrets his antagonistic stance toward Major League Baseball and his Yankees bosses, though he said he would decline their invitation to use Yankee Stadium for an apology press conference.
“I accept the fact that many of you will not believe my apology or anything that I say at this point,” he wrote. “I understand why and that’s on me.”

Monday, February 09, 2015

Asked what he would tell the Hall of Fame about how it should handle the PED era, Manfred replied: “The only piece of advice that I’m comfortable giving is that I think that everyone should keep in mind the difference between players who tested positive and were disciplined on the one hand, and players where somebody has surmised that they did something on the other. And I think, based on what you read in the media, sometimes those lines get blurred. And I think it gets really important to keep that distinction in mind.

“I think it’s unfair,” Manfred said, in answer to a follow-up question, “for people to surmise that Player A did X, Y or Z, absent a positive test, or proof that we produced in an investigation, or whatever. I just think it runs contrary to a very fundamental notion in our society, that you’re innocent until somebody proves you’re guilty.”

The commissioner said he would not include players named in the Mitchell report among those he believes are unfairly accused.

“I think the Mitchell report produced evidence of use,” Manfred said.

For anyone who asked for guidance, I think this is the best we’re going to get. I’m very glad to see this out there, and it’s a sentiment I agree with.

Friday, January 09, 2015

The pitcher admits that he’s struggled with what side of the issue he falls on, calling it a “mess,” but writes that ultimately the Hall is better off creating a “comprehensive, all-encompassing look at the history of baseball,” one that includes PED users if they deserve to be enshrined on the merits of their play.

From a historical perspective, both the good and the bad of the sport should be acknowledged. The rich tapestry of ups and downs, heroes and villains, scandals and rebirths gives baseball a depth unlike any other sport we have in this country. Because of this, writers should leave Hall of Fame voting to on-the-field accomplishments and let their words shape the stories and reputations we pass down to the next generation.

McCarthy also gave his picks for who should’ve been inducted to this year’s Hall of Fame class. In addition to those who were chosen (John Smoltz, Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson and Craig Biggio), McCarthy says he would’ve voted for Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mike Mussina, Curt Schilling, Tim Raines, Alan Trammell and Mike Piazza.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

As for the steroid era, I believe performance-enhancing drugs work. I believe they were an unfair advantage used by many in the game — and continue to be used and abused in the game. What I don’t know is who used and who didn’t. We all have our suspicions and beliefs, but we don’t know for sure.

In the end, what I know for sure is what happened on the field. So that is the only thing I know for sure and the only basis of judgment I can make…

That means both Barry Bonds — the best player I’ve ever seen (before and after his alleged turn to steroids in 1999) — and Roger Clemens — one of the best pitchers I’ve ever seen — will get my vote.

The evidence against them is damning. I believe both used steroids and I have strong convictions that others I’ve deemed worthy, also used….